Area teams flood into Sulphur

West Ouachita's Rebecca Skains catches in infield fly during action against Beau Chene. West Ouachita awaits No. 22 Bastrop in the quarterfinals of the state tournament in Sulphur on Friday.(Photo: MARGARET CROFT/THE NEWS-STAR)Buy Photo

When the brackets were released, it was hard to find many people believing this would be the year No. 22-seed Bastrop Lady Rams would make their first appearance in the LHSAA Fast Pitch 56 Tournament since 2000.

At the beginning of the season, in the midst of a 1-9 start, even the team was doubting some things.

The doubt is no more.

The Lady Rams pulled off a 3-0 win at No. 11 Plaquemine and then 7-2 victory at No. 6 Morgan City to advance to the dance.

“It is unreal,” Bastrop coach Jennifer Hickman said. “I was a freshman the last time the team went. It is just sweet to take them back as the coach. I think it is a good thing for the school. We started slow, but I told them ‘If we can’t face trials and tribulations together, we can’t lose together, then we don’t deserve to win anything as a team’.”

After a second-round exit last season, Bastrop set their sites on something more this year.

Bastrop meets district rival West Ouachita on Friday in Sulphur. First-pitch is set for 6 p.m.

Mangham Blazes Trail To Sulphur

Mangham coach Scott Wilcher has led Mangham back to the Class 1A state tournament in his second-season since moving over from being baseball head coach.

Wilcher, using a unique three-pitcher system rarely seen in high school softball, has his team in a position to contend once again.

“We play really good defense,” Wilcher said of his team’s identity this season. “I think using (three pitchers) gives us an advantage. They all stay around the plate. To get there in my second-year, I think it just speaks volumes about what our girls believe in.”

Claiborne Christian is hoping to start a new streak in Sulphur. The Lady Crusaders return to the Fast Pitch 56 Tournament next Friday at 2 p.m. when they battle No. 1-seed Hackberry. The No. 9-seeded Lady Crusaders defeated No. 8 Ebarb 14-4 in five innings to advance to the quarterfinals.